Lack expected to start ahead of Luongo in Heritage Classic

Elliott Pap, VANCOUVER SUN03.01.2014

Vancouver Canucks David Booth, center cirlces with the puck in the corner to the left of goalie Roberto Luongo, right during the team’s practice at BC Place Stadium Saturday March 1, 2014. The 2014 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic between the Canucks and the Ottawa Senators is taking place in the stadium Sunday.Ric Ernst
/ PNG

Vancouver Canucks Daniel Sedin, left and his twin brother captain Henrik Sedin, right during the team’s practice at BC Place Stadium Saturday March 1, 2014. The 2014 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic between the Canucks and the Ottawa Senators is taking place in the stadium Sunday.Ric Ernst
/ PNG

Vancouver Canucks David Booth, right tries to score on goalie Roberto Luongo, left during the team’s practice at BC Place Stadium Saturday March 1, 2014. The 2014 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic between the Canucks and the Ottawa Senators is taking place in the stadium Sunday.Ric Ernst
/ PNG

Vancouver Canucks head coach John Tortorella during the team’s practice at BC Place Stadium Saturday March 1, 2014. The 2014 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic between the Canucks and the Ottawa Senators is taking place in the stadium Sunday.Ric Ernst
/ PNG

Seat cushions are pictured in the stands during a practice session at BC Place in Vancouver, B.C. Saturday, March 1, 2014. The Vancouver Canucks will play the Ottawa Senators in a Heritage Classic game on Sunday, March 2, 2014.JONATHAN HAYWARD
/ THE CANADIAN PRESS

Member of the Vancouver Canucks pose for a team photo during a practice session at BC Place in Vancouver, B.C. Saturday, March 1, 2014. The Canucks will play the Ottawa Senators in a Heritage Classic game on Sunday, March 2, 2014.JONATHAN HAYWARD
/ THE CANADIAN PRESS

Vancouver Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo during the team’s practice at BC Place Stadium Saturday March 1, 2014. The 2014 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic between the Canucks and the Ottawa Senators is taking place in the stadium Sunday.Ric Ernst
/ PNG

The Vancouver Canucks are seen during a practice session at BC Place in Vancouver, B.C. Saturday, March 1, 2014. The Canucks will play the Ottawa Senators in a Heritage Classic game on Sunday, March 2, 2014.JONATHAN HAYWARD
/ THE CANADIAN PRESS

Vancouver Canucks captain Henrik Sedin, center hold court at center ice during the team’s practice at BC Place Stadium Saturday March 1, 2014. The 2014 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic between the Canucks and the Ottawa Senators is taking place in the stadium Sunday.Ric Ernst
/ PNG

Vancouver Canucks goalie Eddie Lack wears a Go Pro video camera atop of his goalie mask during the team’s practice at BC Place Stadium Saturday March 1, 2014. The 2014 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic between the Canucks and the Ottawa Senators is taking place in the stadium Sunday.Ric Ernst
/ PNG

Vancouver Canucks captain Henrik Sedin, right talks with Raphael Diaz, left during the team’s practice at BC Place Stadium Saturday March 1, 2014. The 2014 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic between the Canucks and the Ottawa Senators is taking place in the stadium Sunday.Ric Ernst
/ PNG

Vancouver Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo during the team’s practice at BC Place Stadium Saturday March 1, 2014. The 2014 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic between the Canucks and the Ottawa Senators is taking place in the stadium Sunday.Ric Ernst
/ PNG

Vancouver Canucks David Booth, left is poke checked by goalie Eddie Lack, right during the team’s practice at BC Place Stadium Saturday March 1, 2014. The 2014 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic between the Canucks and the Ottawa Senators is taking place in the stadium Sunday.Ric Ernst
/ PNG

Vancouver Canucks goalie Eddie Lack wears a Go Pro video camera atop of his goalie mask during the team’s practice at BC Place Stadium Saturday March 1, 2014. The 2014 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic between the Canucks and the Ottawa Senators is taking place in the stadium Sunday.Ric Ernst
/ PNG

Vancouver Canucks David Booth, left and Zack Kassian, right listen to goaltending coach Roland Melanson, center as to what drill he wants them to do to work out goalie Roberto Luongo during the team’s practice at BC Place Stadium Saturday March 1, 2014. The 2014 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic between the Canucks and the Ottawa Senators is taking place in the stadium Sunday.Ric Ernst
/ PNG

The Vancouver Canucks practice at BC Place Stadium Saturday March 1, 2014. The 2014 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic between the Canucks and the Ottawa Senators is taking place in the stadium Sunday.Ric Ernst
/ PNG

Vancouver Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo, right stops Zac Dalpe, left and Jordan Schroeder, center during the team’s practice at BC Place Stadium Saturday March 1, 2014. The 2014 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic between the Canucks and the Ottawa Senators is taking place in the stadium Sunday.Ric Ernst
/ PNG

Vancouver Canucks goalie Eddie Lack wears a Go Pro video camera atop of his goalie mask during the team’s practice at BC Place Stadium Saturday March 1, 2014. The 2014 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic between the Canucks and the Ottawa Senators is taking place in the stadium Sunday.Ric Ernst
/ PNG

Vancouver Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo during the team’s practice at BC Place Stadium Saturday March 1, 2014. The 2014 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic between the Canucks and the Ottawa Senators is taking place in the stadium Sunday.Ric Ernst
/ PNG

The Vancouver Canucks practice at BC Place Stadium Saturday March 1, 2014. The 2014 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic between the Canucks and the Ottawa Senators is taking place in the stadium Sunday.Ric Ernst
/ PNG

The Vancouver Canucks take part in a practice session at BC Place in Vancouver, B.C. Saturday, March 1, 2014. The Canucks will play the Ottawa Senators in a Heritage Classic game on Sunday, March 2, 2014.JONATHAN HAYWARD
/ THE CANADIAN PRESS

Vancouver Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo, right awaits in goal while the rest of the team gathers at center ice during the team’s practice at BC Place Stadium Saturday March 1, 2014. The 2014 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic between the Canucks and the Ottawa Senators is taking place in the stadium Sunday.Ric Ernst
/ PNG

Vancouver Canucks David Booth, center cirlces with the puck in the corner to the left of goalie Roberto Luongo, right during the team’s practice at BC Place Stadium Saturday March 1, 2014. The 2014 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic between the Canucks and the Ottawa Senators is taking place in the stadium Sunday.Ric Ernst
/ PNG

Vancouver Canucks Kevin Bieksa, right gets help from assistant coach Darryl Williams with his helmet strap during the team’s practice at BC Place Stadium Saturday March 1, 2014. The 2014 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic between the Canucks and the Ottawa Senators is taking place in the stadium Sunday.Ric Ernst
/ PNG

Vancouver Canucks assistant coach Mike Sullivan, right eyes up captain Henrik Sedin, left during the team’s practice at BC Place Stadium Saturday March 1, 2014. The 2014 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic between the Canucks and the Ottawa Senators is taking place in the stadium Sunday.Ric Ernst
/ PNG

Vancouver Canucks captain Henrik Sedin, left and Zack Kassian, right share a laugh prior to stepping on the ice for the team’s practice at BC Place Stadium Saturday March 1, 2014. The 2014 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic between the Canucks and the Ottawa Senators is taking place in the stadium Sunday.Ric Ernst
/ PNG

Vancouver Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo during the team’s practice at BC Place Stadium Saturday March 1, 2014. The 2014 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic between the Canucks and the Ottawa Senators is taking place in the stadium Sunday.Ric Ernst
/ PNG

The Vancouver Canucks take part in a practice session at BC Place in Vancouver, B.C. Saturday, March 1, 2014. The Canucks will play the Ottawa Senators in a Heritage Classic game on Sunday, March 2, 2014.JONATHAN HAYWARD
/ THE CANADIAN PRESS

Vancouver Canucks David Booth, left is poke checked by goalie Eddie Lack, right during the team’s practice at BC Place Stadium Saturday March 1, 2014. The 2014 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic between the Canucks and the Ottawa Senators is taking place in the stadium Sunday.Ric Ernst
/ PNG

It later became apparent why when word leaked out that Eddie Lack would start Sunday against the Ottawa Senators at B.C. Place Stadium even though neither Lack, Luongo or head coach John Tortorella confirmed it during their respective sessions with reporters.

Luongo's demeanour told a story, however. Here's how his scrum went ...

“Yeah, whenever I'm called upon, I'll be ready. I just have to work hard and be ready when it's me.”

Are you in a battle to get the net back?

“I'm just here to play, man. I don't want to start going through this whole thing again. When I'm on the ice, I give 100 per cent and try to be the best I can be. The rest is out of my control. So I'm not going to start putting myself in the spot like that again. Whatever happens from here on in, I'm just going to battle. If it's me, it's me. If it's not, it's not. That's the way I'm going to approach it. I'm going to battle and work hard every day and come to work.”

Luongo did reveal he was fighting through jet lag issues after the 12-hour time change from Sochi where he backed up Carey Price for Team Canada at the Olympics. He arrived home Monday.

“It's been tough with the time adjustments and stuff like that and I haven't been feeling super energized,” said Luongo, who turns 35 next month. “The last couple of days I've been feeling back to normal.”

Lack, meanwhile, has allowed just one goal in two starts post-Olympics and two goals in his last three going back to the Detroit game Feb. 3. Based on Saturday's stats, Lack stood fifth in the league in goals against average (2.05) and was tied for seventh in save percentage (.925). Luongo was 14th in GAA (2.38) and tied for 12th in the save rate category (.917).

Last season, of course, Luongo lost his starter's role to Cory Schneider and asked to be moved to a team where he could again be the No. 1 man. However, his onerous 12-year contract – there are still eight years remaining – and the new salary cap re-capture penalty made him untradeable. General manager Mike Gillis eventually wound up dealing Schneider to the New Jersey Devils for a draft pick that became elite prospect Bo Horvat.

The rest of the Canucks seemed to be in a more cheerful frame of mind following Saturday's practice. The roof was open at the 55-seat stadium and, to a man, they were happy with ice, boards and lighting.

“Guys were having a lot of fun out there, it was a pretty cool experience,” said defenceman Jason Garrison. “Maybe it will loosen up guys a little bit. I thought the ice conditions were great. Pucks were flat on the ice and the boards were good. I think it's going to be a fun game tomorrow.”

Right winger Zack Kassian was also enthused about the atmosphere for Sunday but was mindful that the Canucks are in desperate need of the two points that will be a stake. Vancouver is 1-7-1 in its last nine games and struggling to stay in the Western Conference playoff picture.

“I was very surprised with the conditions, same with a lot of the guys on our team,” Kassian said. “The boards were good and the ice was fantastic. We are very excited about the game but, at the same time, we're in a dog race for the playoffs and we need every possible point. So we have to enjoy it today, and tomorrow morning, but once it's game time, we need to get the two points. If we do that, it will be more enjoyable.”

Tortorella's main concern is that his goal-starved players will abandon their defensive responsibilities in an effort to create offence. In their last six games, the Canucks have scored just six goals. First-line players Henrik and Daniel Sedin, along with right winger Alex Burrows, are all mired in wretched slumps. Burrows hasn't scored a goal this season in 30 games while Daniel has been blanked in 21 games and Henrik 19.

In Friday night's 2-1 shootout loss to the Minnesota Wild, the Canucks threw 70 pucks at the Minny net. Twenty-five were blocked and another 14 missed.

“We can't open it up and play run-and-gun and start trying to cheat to create our offence,” said Tortorella. “We have to stay sound defensively, which I'm very happy with the past two games, and hopefully our big guys find themselves. I don't think splitting up the twins is the proper thing to do now. I think that is our best avenue so I'm going to stay with them."

Meanwhile, Tortorella is hoping some fresh air will help his struggling team produce more goals. The Canucks (28-24-10) have struggled to score while losing eight of their past nine games.

“Sometimes when you get into an outdoor situation, you feel like it’s back when you were playing pond hockey,” said Tortorella at practice Saturday.

“I think some of our guys need to, offensively, just allow themselves to play some shinny hockey. Maybe this’ll help us, I don’t know, because you can’t help but enjoy it when you’re in a situation like this. I didn’t even realize the roof was open at first, because it kind of blends in (with the sky) a little bit,” said Tortorella. “I just thought they kept the building really cold.”

ICE CHIPS: Third-line centre Brad Richardson missed Saturday's practice but is scheduled to play against the Senators. According to Tortorella, it was “a family matter” that kept Richardson away... Centre Kellan Lain was sent back to the Utica Comets farm team Saturday. He was a healthy scratch against Minnesota.

epap@vancouver sun.com

with files by Canadian Press

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